Global participation, policy focus mark start of youth leadership conference at IIM-I

Indore: With international academic participation and a strong linkage to India's youth development policy framework, the Indian Institute of Management Indore on Sunday inaugurated a three-day international conference,Youth for Impact: Social Innovation and Inclusive Leadership – Empowering Youth, Transforming Futures. Speakers and scholars from Australia, Italy, the United Kingdom, Dubai and Brazil are participating in the event.The opening day featured keynote addresses by international scholars across themes of technology, health, employment and ethical leadership, alongside deliberations on youth-driven transformation and inclusive development.Organised in coordination with the department of youth affairs under the Union ministry of youth affairs and sports, the conference brought together scholars, policymakers, development practitioners and young leaders to examine how youth-led ideas can translate into measurable social transformation.Inaugurating the conference, IIM Indore director professor Himanshu Rai said, "India's nation-building journey is deeply linked to the aspirations, innovation and leadership potential of its youth. Academic institutions must create enabling ecosystems that transform intent into impact and nurture socially responsible leadership aligned with the vision of a Viksit Bharat."Conference convener prof Shruti Tewari said aligning policy, education and community engagement is essential to deepen youth participation. "Structured opportunities such as social internships and field-based learning help young people convert knowledge into action and leadership into measurable social change," she said.Keynote speakers included prof Ronald Fischer of Brazil, prof Jolanda Jetten of the University of Queensland, prof Belgin Okay-Somerville of the University of Glasgow and prof Alex Newman of the University of Melbourne.